Effective Meditation

[ZiggyMike]

I know this might be a topic which had been discussed a whole lot of times but I just want to know the procedures, dos and don'ts of effective meditation according to the members of this forum. I have seen many articles on the net and can't really decided on one.
I have been meditating for some time now and dunno of I am doing it right as I have had no shift in consciousness or anything. And I always fall asleep sometimes
Any suggestion/procedure will help.
Thank you.
With Love.

[Rudolph]

What culture or religious tradition were you raised in?

[urshebear]

I asked this question a little while ago too and got some great answers. This is my thoughts...

I don't like sitting up straight so I started out meditating in a lazy chair, It seems to work fine for quite a few people here on the forums but for me it didn't go too well because I kept falling asleep haha.
Anyway now I go into my room and sit on my bed. I have my back straight against the wall but with a cushion for comfort, sometimes I like to cross my legs and sometimes they are out straight.
I focus only on my breathing for now as I am not that experienced but I have had some results already. Tingling in my brain and spine mostly, it kind of tickles. The breathing exercise keeps my mind from wandering which is pretty relaxing because it is the only time I can silence my thoughts.

I was looking at the dos and don'ts for ages but now my thoughts are that there are no rules just do what you find comfortable.

[ZiggyMike]

Culture or religious tradition? Does that even matter? Thanks urshebear for the splendid reply.

[Rudolph]

Culture or religious tradition? Does that even matter?

Yes. A lot.

Much more than people realize or like to admit.

[ZiggyMike]

Ok Rudolph... Can u you give me a rundown of how it affects meditation starting from African Christians to Amish Hindus.

[Rudolph]

There are LOTs of African Christians, as in, millions....

While there may be a small handful of Amish strays investigating Hinduism, I have no knowledge of that.

Your question makes no sense to me.

[gdo]

Hello Ziggy,

First off, many people do fall asleep when attempting Meditation so do not feel unusual.

The trick is to relax and be comfortable so that there is not restrictions on your body. 

You might try a comfortable straight backed chair with or without armrests but do not let your arms dangle to the sides if there are no arm rests.

Begin by sitting in the chair relaxed and comfortable but alert and awake.  Close your eyes and just pay attention to one thing. Your breathing is a good starting point
Breathe naturally and regularly and just listen to it.  If an other thought or sensation comes to mind just mentally say Thank You and then go back to concentrating on Breathing.
Keep your attention on that.  Keep still. Keep alert. Listen to your breath. 

[Darklon]

I just sit on my fluffiest pillow on my bed lotus style

a good beginner meditation is to count down from 100 to 0 and then from 30 to 0 and then sit in the silence. if any stray thoughts come up just ignore them and continue

I use the breathing technique but I also use awareness techniques with my energy body while I meditate. I don't count down anymore or at least not often because I don't feel it necessary at the moment.

You can also use isochronic tones to assist in your meditation http://iso-tones.com/

[Rudolph]

and a really good meditation is one that the practitioner will stick with for decades.

[ZiggyMike]

What I meant Rudolph is how does religion, culture and tradition affect people during meditation, I mean give me like a rundown of the effects of religion, tradition, culture on meditation of Christians for example. I used the Amish Hindus and African Chriatians to show a diverse religious taste as Amish people are always Christians and Africans have a large variety of religious practice. Does it make sense now.
Thank you all for your replies, I actual use the free binaural beat from Jurgen Ziewe's site. I haven't used isochronic tunes but I will try it out.
I mediated last night and really focused on my breathing, it really splendid.
As I was meditating, I intermittently felt waves of "energy?" sweep pass me and it was pleasant but I can't keep he feeling steady.. I guess I am making progress.
Thank you all for your replies, really appreciate it.
With Love.

[gdo]

Here is a good description of Yogic mediation.

1.Yama (The five "abstentions"): Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (Truth, non-lying), Asteya (non-covetousness), Brahmacharya (non-sensuality, celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
2.Niyama (The five "observances"): Shaucha(purity), Santosha(contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul), and Ishvara-Pranidhana (surrender to God).
3.Asana: Literally means "seat", and in Patanjali's Sutras refers to the seated position used for meditation.
4.Pranayama ("Suspending Breath"): Prāna, breath, "āyāma", to restrain or stop. Also interpreted as control of the life force.
5.Pratyahara ("Abstraction"): Withdrawal of the sense organs from external objects.
6.Dharana ("Concentration"): Fixing the attention on a single object.
7.Dhyana ("Meditation"): Intense contemplation of the nature of the object of meditation.
8.Samādhi ("Liberation"): merging consciousness with the object of meditation.


What most westerers take for meditation is either #5. Pratyahara and #6. Dharana.  When in fact it is #7 Dhyana. 

[Rudolph]

What I meant Rudolph is how does religion, culture and tradition affect people during meditation, I mean give me like a rundown of the effects of religion, tradition, culture on meditation of Christians for example. I used the Amish Hindus and African Chriatians to show a diverse religious taste as Amish people are always Christians and Africans have a large variety of religious practice. Does it make sense now.[?]

Not really.

How culture affects people during meditation is irrelevant. The point was about "effective" meditation. period.

Following a tradition consistent with childhood upbringing is far superior to endlessly dabbling with ridiculously complicated systems from foreign cultures that don't really work all that well for the locals and usually just confuses the dilettantes.
I have observed this for decades and it really looks absurd to watch westerners try to get something useful out of the Eastern Schools.

The roots of meditation practice among Christians goes back to the Desert Fathers of ancient times.

In a follow-up to The Cloud, called The Book of Privy Counseling, the author characterizes the practice of contemplative unknowing as worshiping God with one's "substance," coming to rest in a "naked blind feeling of being," and ultimately finding thereby that God is one's being.

The original documents from about 900AD are written in Middle English which is difficult to understand but modern translations are available.
http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/

Just because few people bother to practice the ancient Western, Christian Meditative exercise known as Centering Prayer does not change the fact that it is truly Western in origin, and it is exceedingly effective.

True Western Meditative Practice... it was ancient 2000 years ago.

!

The vast majority of humanity knows almost nothing about almost everything.

And what little they think they do know is BS. But that is probably because most people are not interested in Truth. So many just want to know who it is okay to hate. Often it takes the form of neurotic self-loathing. They endlessly repeat the destructive lies about their own heritage while kicking out endless streams of excuses for barbaric behavior of other cultures.

How many people really want to know the truth?
Almost no one.

[ZiggyMike]

Thanks for the reply, you really have a point. The fact is, I come from a place where eastern religion is considered a taboo. My awakening i guess started some years back and right until now, I still have to meditate in the privacy of my house. I have researched like a lot and i have read tons of books, thanks to the intetnet. I know I will be ridiculed and stigmatized if seen meditating. I might even even be branded a sorcerer... Hehe (Yeah, places like that still exist)
You are quite correct, not many people want to know the truth, the seem to be contended with religion they grew up with. (at least down here) and any thing else leads to eternal damnation...
I have tried. I have tried to voice out my opinion but people always get defensive and think I don't believe in God. My best friend even thinks i am borderline crazy abd stepping out of line. Anyho thanks for the reply, really appreciate it.
It's really true
"The vast majority of humanity knows almost nothing about almost everything"
I like that.

[Rudolph]

Westerners who truly want to learn meditation could do a LOT worse than this;
http://www.contemplativeprayer.net/

But the Goal is more about drawing closer to the Heart of God.

What I have noticed is most are interested in things like "raising the Kundalini" ( )
so they can have amazing powers n stuff.

[ZiggyMike]

I guess the limitation of mortal life can make one seek out these "powers" I am more interested in effective meditation and reaching the source. Others things Dan follow later.
Is the Rev Father's book free? How can I learn about it.

[Darklon]

I want telekenesis Rudolph lol   that is not why I seeked a Kundalini awakening. In fact I have known about it for months but didn't care for it. I became interested by a recent topic "Golden DNA Activation".

It was an interesting shift in consciousness but I seem to have been more "drawn" to it than seeking it.

[bardips]

in your opinion:

in what ways ought meditation be effective?

-dale

[ZiggyMike]

Shift in consciousness, dialogue with higher self, OBE, brow chakra opening..... I could go on and on